Fresh off the All-Star break, Chris Sale stifled the Texas Rangers while the Atlanta Braves’ explosive 19-hit onslaught dismantled Cal Quantrill, leaving the American League West leaders searching for answers.
The Texas Rangers seemingly forgot how to play baseball as they suffered a dreadful, 15-1 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Braves.
While it's worth noting the Braves are indeed one of the best teams in the league this season, the Rangers are the American League West Division leaders, but they sure didn't look like it.
The All-Star break is supposed to be a huge boost to not only stamina, but morale as well. Clearly, it was the worst thing that could've possibly happened to this Rangers team.
Chris Sale looked tremendous as he allowed just two hits in his seven-inning start for Atlanta. On the contrary, Texas' Cal Quantrill was absolutely picked apart by this Braves offense, one that recorded 15 runs on 19 hits.
Quantrill allows 11 hits in four innings
The 31-year-old certainly didn't help set the tone in the second half as he was embarrassed, humbled, and everything in-between. Quantrill came into this game with a 3.11 ERA, but that skyrocketed to 3.93, nearly a full point higher thanks to the Braves offense.
Now 3-2 on the year, Quantrill gave up two homers in his 4.0 innings of work. He allowed six earned runs on 11 hits, which was the most he's allowed in a game this season, by far.
As for the rest of the bullpen, Ben Peoples was the only reliever to not allow a hit. For what it's worth, he only recorded one out, so that's obviously a big reason why.
Emiliano Teodo, Gavin Collyer, and Kyle Higashioka all saw their ERAs rise as Teodo allowed two runs on three hits, Collyer allowed four runs on two hits, and Higashioka allowed three runs on three hits.
Rangers couldn't solve Sale
Sale became a 10-time All-Star this year, and he's only two seasons removed from his historic 2024 Cy Young season. After improving to 10-6 on the year with a 2.06 ERA, it's important to highlight the Rangers simply drew the worst possible first game back.
Sale has been extremely impressive in his last five starts, having allowed just four earned runs in 26.2 innings of work.
The Rangers' lone run came in the eighth inning, which was coincidentally the first time they were able to hit against a Braves reliever. Nicky Lopez recorded a two-out RBI, but that was a consolation run as it became a 12-1 game.
Not a single Rangers player recorded two hits, but it's worth noting the seven through nine hitters had three of the team's five hits in the game.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
